Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the original rating decisions denying service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), a lumbar spine disability, hemorrhoids, and a dental condition were incorrect due to a failure to consider new evidence. The claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn or dismissed. The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD, urinary incontinence, and degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine meet the criteria for increased ratings but requires further development before these claims can be adjudicated.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee tendonitis/tendinosis, right knee tendonitis/tendinosis, lumbosacral strain, and cervical strain.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, but the issues of secondary service connection for left and right knee and foot disorders remain unresolved. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine, is rated at 20 percent effective October 3, 2017. Prior to this date, the condition was not manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 60 degrees or less.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome is remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain and degenerative disk disease, finding that his symptoms began during service and have continued since.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with an adequate medical opinion addressing his lay evidence of record and clearly addressing his claimed condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disorder, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and bilateral foot disorders. The VA examiner's opinions are inadequate as they do not address the Veteran's contentions regarding her work history and post-service symptoms.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40% effective March 19, 2021. The appeal for higher ratings prior to this date is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent, as there was no evidence of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, combined range of motion to 120 degrees or less, ankylosis, muscle spasm, or guarding resulting in abnormal gait/spinal contour. The Board also noted that the Veteran's IVDS did not require physician-prescribed bed rest.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a low back disability due to inadequate medical opinion and need for additional development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral leg disabilities, neck disability, back disability, and left hip disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left wrist fracture residuals, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy. The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing a current disability or chronic symptoms during service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and readjudication due to incomplete service treatment records, including those from her National Guard, Reserve, and Federal active duty service. The AOJ is instructed to attempt to obtain these records and provide new opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, bilateral feet disabilities, and left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for mechanical low back pain syndrome and degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as the TDIU claim. The case must be reviewed by the AOJ to consider additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis is related to his in-service injury. The TDIU claim was withdrawn prior to the decision.